(Updated) Yet another request for someone to talk me down... (E39 M5 related)

[Viper GTS]

Why is this even a question? Buy it (or at least one like it). Those cars are perfect.

I think I would do some looking for a better color though. There are a couple on AutoTrader with similar miles & prices (one in black, one in silver).

As boring as silver may be I think these cars look very good in it. Maybe BECAUSE it's so boring. Nobody except a car geek will know what it is capable of.

Viper GTS

 

[TehMac]

S70, not V70. The Volvo's a sedan.

ZV

I would pull the trigger. It's too good to pass up. Besides, E39s are probably going to become classics 20 years down the road. Sell off your volvo, they retain their value pretty well I think.

 

[StageLeft]

I hate silver too. When I went looking for used 6 speed Maximas guess what I found closest to me?

2 2002's, both 6 speed, both silver. Pisses me off!

Yes, mine is silver. I was hoping for white or black.

Guess what color my 2003 Maxima SE is?

I didn't have a whole lot of choice when I bought my car either. They had a couple silver ones, a white one and a black one. I'm not crazy about white cars and the black one was already being prepped for someone else who was supposed to come by later that day to pick it up so I don't even know if I could have gotten it. It was the last of the 2003 models, Nissan was heavily discounting them as a loss leader since the 2004 models were already in showrooms. I got a hell of a deal on it so I'm not complaining...too much.

Silver is indeed bullsh*t but it's all the cock-gobblers out there seem to want to buy. Many of the infiniti g35s I see are also silver. Gawd, it's worse than white. Well, hell it's hard to decide between those two which is worse.

 

[DarkThinker]

If I had the know how and capability to maintain, fix cars on my own I would get an E39 M5 in a heart beat. Go for it, you just can't regret owning an M5. The E39 M5 and the 850CSI have long been classic dream cars I have long wished waking up in the morning to find in my garage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Cars don't have feelings, people do

Kind of ironic we care about the things backwards.

I couldn't possibly care less what happens to my car after I sell it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I couldn't possibly care less what happens to my car after I sell it.

This would be the healthy way to look at it, but I have a hard time separating myself from anything that I have put time and care into.

ZV

 

[overst33r]

I believe Arkaign has owned one... I'm sure he'll post soon.

Also, I'm sure you're aware of the early models carbon-build up issue and the risks/$ associated with it.

If the car is to your liking in the test drive, GO FOR IT!

 

[JulesMaximus]

This would be the healthy way to look at it, but I have a hard time separating myself from anything that I have put time and care into.

ZV

Dude, you need to get yourself a woman.

I spent quite a bit of time and money fixing up my old Honda CB750 and when I sold it I felt some sadness that it was gone but it was short lived. I also take excellent care of all my vehicles, always have, If you look at my Maxima, it looks almost showroom condition inside and out (except for a few minor scuffs my wife put in the front and rear bumper) but once they are gone that's it.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Dude, you need to get yourself a woman.

Have one. She thinks I'm crazy too.

ZV

 

[JulesMaximus]

Have one. She thinks I'm crazy too.

ZV

I've got news for you. She's right!

 

[Arkaign]

I believe Arkaign has owned one... I'm sure he'll post soon.

Also, I'm sure you're aware of the early models carbon-build up issue and the risks/$ associated with it.

If the car is to your liking in the test drive, GO FOR IT!

Indeed, although it was totaled within a few precious short months of owning it. Mine was utterly stock, and the thing felt exceptionally solid everywhere. It's the kind of car I would feel really never needs any modifications of any kind.

Long-term, if it's not going to see a ton of action, and you obviously are capable of doing a lot of maintenance yourself, I think it's a huge winner. When you consider the ~400hp luxury-sport arena, what better choice is there? Clearly things like brake rotors/pads, tires, filters, etc will be a bit extra, but not totally insane.

The color is a little challenging, I personally feel that those were born to be black (or red, I saw a minty one in person at a meet and was shocked at how good it looked), but really it's not a deal-breaker.

Be sure and test it with the windows down at some point Bonus points if you go through a tunnel. There's a tunnel under Addison airport that is a toll tunnel, but I would actually go out of my way to drive through that tunnel with that car. What a fantastic noise.

 

[Cobalt]

E36 M3 and E39 M5, my two favorite BMWs (or cars for that matter) of all time. JUST DO IT

 

[alkemyst]

I am going to be buying an E36 M3 next year. It's going to be a gift to myself becoming debt free this year. If I didn't have a Japan trip planned I'd be in one in a couple months.

I wish I could get a newer one, but I am targeting something with 30-40k on the clock or less. Fortunately living in S. Florida I am in the BMW mecca. Still you don't see too many E36 M's.

 

[Imported]

I can't talk you down from it cause its a car I adore.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Indeed, although it was totaled within a few precious short months of owning it. Mine was utterly stock, and the thing felt exceptionally solid everywhere. It's the kind of car I would feel really never needs any modifications of any kind.

Long-term, if it's not going to see a ton of action, and you obviously are capable of doing a lot of maintenance yourself, I think it's a huge winner. When you consider the ~400hp luxury-sport arena, what better choice is there? Clearly things like brake rotors/pads, tires, filters, etc will be a bit extra, but not totally insane.

The color is a little challenging, I personally feel that those were born to be black (or red, I saw a minty one in person at a meet and was shocked at how good it looked), but really it's not a deal-breaker.

Be sure and test it with the windows down at some point Bonus points if you go through a tunnel. There's a tunnel under Addison airport that is a toll tunnel, but I would actually go out of my way to drive through that tunnel with that car. What a fantastic noise.

OK. The test drive was a really, really, really bad idea. The car drove perfectly, pulled like a freight train, and cornered as though it was on rails. Even the clutch was great, no slipping even pulling from 40 in 6th. I'm going to call my mechanic on Monday to schedule an inspection. Only issues were a slight rattle under the car over bumps and a couple of rock chips in the windshield.

The carfax shows it as a one-owner vehicle. One accident shows up, as a police report but not an insurance claim. It's listed as "contact with a parked vehicle" and, given the look of the rest of the car, my gut says that this was, at most, replacing a bumper. The inspection should verify that though with the paint thickness gauge. The accident was in 2002 though, so any ill-effects should definitely have shown up by now.

As far as the windows down bit... Yeah, that sound is in-freakin-credible.

ZV

 

[Viper GTS]

OK. The test drive was a really, really, really bad idea. The car drove perfectly, pulled like a freight train, and cornered as though it was on rails. Even the clutch was great, no slipping even pulling from 40 in 6th. I'm going to call my mechanic on Monday to schedule an inspection. Only issues were a slight rattle under the car over bumps and a couple of rock chips in the windshield.

The carfax shows it as a one-owner vehicle. One accident shows up, as a police report but not an insurance claim. It's listed as "contact with a parked vehicle" and, given the look of the rest of the car, my gut says that this was, at most, replacing a bumper. The inspection should verify that though with the paint thickness gauge. The accident was in 2002 though, so any ill-effects should definitely have shown up by now.

As far as the windows down bit... Yeah, that sound is in-freakin-credible.

ZV

Congratulations on the M.



This will finally get me up there to see you, guaranteed.

Viper GTS

 

[DivideBYZero]

Buy it and take it though a tunnel at full throttle!

 

[dawp]

I wouldn't. just take the money you would have been paying monthly and bank it, in no time at all you will have saved up enough to pay cash for it not have the hassle of financing. If you still want one then, or something else that trips your trigger, go for it.

you just paid off the volvo and it should last a good few years until you get tired of it.

 

[exdeath]

I'd skip this one. You have misgivings about the color and that's going to come back to bite you. Now that you've affirmed that you want one, be patient and wait for the *right* one to come along and don't impulse buy

But damn... $15k...

 

[Excelsior]

I'd skip this one. You have misgivings about the color and that's going to come back to bite you. Now that you've affirmed that you want one, be patient and wait for the *right* one to come along and don't impulse buy

But damn... $15k...

Yep.

 

[thomsbrain]

It's probably the best looking car BMW ever built, a legend in its own time, and sounds great at WOT.

But that's a lot of miles for a BMW, especially an M.

I think if it was me, I'd put the money towards your next weekend car replacement. Maybe there's a lightly used Cayman S in your future.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I'd skip this one. You have misgivings about the color and that's going to come back to bite you. Now that you've affirmed that you want one, be patient and wait for the *right* one to come along and don't impulse buy

But damn... $15k...

Sadly, the color presents itself very well in person; it's not the "robin's egg" color suggested by the photos, but more of an ice blue.

Still... A black one would be nice, if impossible to keep clean...

On the other hand, $15k M5...

I think if it was me, I'd put the money towards your next weekend car replacement. Maybe there's a lightly used Cayman S in your future.

There are only two ways that the 951 is leaving me:

1) In little tiny pieces because it has been totaled.
2) I have run out of money and have already sold all my other vehicles.

The 944 series is the only car I've ever sat in and immediately felt as though the car were built specifically to fit me. Everything in it is simply "right".

ZV

 

[BW86]

15k M5? Yes please.

 

[Viper GTS]

15k M5? Yes please.

From the looks of it that price isn't really abnormal.

I see two on AutoTrader within 25 miles of me with similar miles listed around $17K (which of course means $15K is probably doable).

I had no idea they were already this cheap, & it was probably better not knowing...

Viper GTS

 

[Zenmervolt]

From the looks of it that price isn't really abnormal.

I see two on AutoTrader within 25 miles of me with similar miles listed around $17K (which of course means $15K is probably doable).

I had no idea they were already this cheap, & it was probably better not knowing...

Viper GTS

8-10 years old is a sweet spot for higher-end cars. You just have to be willing to accept the maintenance requirements.

The dealer is going to list it at $16,900, but edmunds TMV is a bit over $14,000. If the car checks out, I'm going to hold at $15,000 out the door. If they match it, great. If not, there will be other cars later.

ZV